Howard, Lakers thrive in hostile environment

March 12, 2013

Updated Aug. 21, 2013 1:17 p.m.

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The Lakers' Dwight Howard, center, struggles to get to the basket as he is caught between Orlando Magic players from left, Tobias Harris (12), Jameer Nelson (14) and Nikola Vucevic, during on Tuesday in Orlando, Fla. JOHN RAOUX, AP

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The Lakers' Dwight Howard smiles before the start of the game on Tuesday in Orlando, Fla. STEPHEN M. DOWELL, MCT

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The Lakers' Dwight Howard (right) makes a shot over Orlando Magic's Tobias Harris, left, during the first half on Tuesday in Orlando, Fla. JOHN RAOUX, AP

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The Lakers' Dwight Howard (center) takes a shot in front of Orlando Magic's Nikola Vucevic (9), of Montenegro, and Arron Afflalo (4) during the second half on Tuesday in Orlando, Fla. JOHN RAOUX, AP

The Lakers' Dwight Howard, center, struggles to get to the basket as he is caught between Orlando Magic players from left, Tobias Harris (12), Jameer Nelson (14) and Nikola Vucevic, during on Tuesday in Orlando, Fla.JOHN RAOUX, AP

Howard rode the positive energy he often preaches through his return game in Orlando on Tuesday. With Howard making 25 of 39 shots from the free-throw line – tying the NBA record for attempts he set a year ago – the Lakers beat Howard's old Orlando Magic team, 106-97.

He smiled from pregame warmups to the victorious end – even as Orlando fans wore his old jerseys with the "H" on the back changed into a "C," one fan interrupted the national anthem to insult him and Magic coach Jacque Vaughn deliberately probed time and again at Howard's free-throw weakness.

Despite a cold-shooting night from Kobe Bryant, the Lakers won because Howard left Orlando center Nik Vucevic likening him to "the Dwight that dominated the league the past few seasons." Howard finished with 39 points, 16 rebounds and three blocks – and Bryant said the Lakers' 17-6 run has sprung from Howard "just buying in to what we need him to do – him excelling at it."

There was no tribute video for Howard the way there was from the Phoenix Suns when Steve Nash returned there this season as a Laker. But Howard was fine with it – even smiling as he joined in with the boos he heard as he came out of the game late in the third quarter.

Howard spent much of the early fourth quarter with his head on a swivel as he engaged courtside fans trying to talk to him, telling them "I know" when criticized or suggesting "Let it go" ... but smiling as he spoke. Earlier in the game as one fan walked by to tell him how he stunk, Howard looked back at the fan, nodded and said: "Thank you" - before breaking into laughter.

"My whole thing was just to have fun," Howard said later, "and embrace the moment."

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